Asparagus is one of my favorite springtime veggies. Its fresh, grassy flavor and tender-crisp texture make it incredibly versatile for cooking.
While asparagus can certainly take center stage, it also plays deliciously well with others as a side dish.
If you’re looking for what to eat with asparagus, let me share some tasty side dishes to serve that allow it to truly shine on the plate.
1.Zabaglione
Zabaglione is a classic Italian dessert that’s perfect for serving with fresh fruit or cookies. It’s also a great side dish for asparagus because the creamy, slightly sweet flavor complements the vegetable’s earthiness.
This recipe it’s so easy and delicious!
You only need 3 ingredients: egg yolks, sugar, and Marsala wine. It takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook. That’s just 25 minutes total!
2.Hummus
My family’s amazing Lebanese hummus is a recipe that’s been passed down for generations. It’s a simple, creamy dip that’s perfect for parties or healthy snacking.
You can whip it up in just 5 minutes using canned chickpeas and a few other ingredients like tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. Just toss it all in a food processor and blend until smooth.
One important tip: never add cumin! That’s a big no-no in our family’s tradition.
This hummus is a great a great choice for those wondering what goes with asparagus because the bright, fresh flavors complement each other perfectly. The creamy texture of the hummus also balances the slight crunch of the asparagus.
3.Hollandaise Sauce
Still wondering what to serve with asparagus? You can never go wrong with drowning asparagus in a luscious hollandaise.
This recipe makes foolproof restaurant-quality Hollandaise Sauce without all the hard work of hand whisking in just 90 seconds!
The rich, lemony sauce complements the grassy vegetal notes beautifully. It’s a classic match made in heaven.
The soft-cooked spears provide a perfect dipper for mopping up every last velvety drop. Finish it with a sprinkle of cajun spice or chopped chives for a little extra zing.
4.Grilled Chicken Breast
Grilled chicken breast is a lean protein that pairs excellently with asparagus. The smoky, charred flavor of the chicken enhances the earthy taste of the asparagus.
This recipe only takes 5 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook, so you can have a delicious meal ready in just 20 minutes!
Before serving, squeeze fresh lime juice over the top and sprinkle some chopped cilantro for extra zing.
5.Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs
Another chicken recipe?
Yes!
Chicken goes amazingly well with asparagus. This recipe makes a fall-off-the-bone tender chicken with a crispy, caramelized exterior that’s packed with flavor.
These thighs are so good, they don’t even need a side dish! But if you’re looking for a perfect pairing, I think they’d be fantastic served alongside some roasted asparagus. The fresh, green flavor would complement the rich, smoky BBQ sauce perfectly.
The process takes about 50 minutes from start to finish, but it’s so worth it.
6.Herby Lemon Quinoa
This amazing herby lemon quinoa recipe has become my go-to side dish to have with asparagus. It’s so easy to make and only takes about 20-25 minutes from start to finish.
The quinoa is cooked with garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper, which gives it a nice savory flavor. But what really makes this dish shine is the fresh lemon juice, zest, and parsley that you stir in at the end. Oh, and let’s not forget the toasted pine nuts – they add such a lovely crunch!
The bright, lemony flavors of the quinoa complement the earthy, slightly sweet taste of the asparagus perfectly. Plus, it’s a healthy and nutritious combination that makes me feel great about what I’m eating.
7.Prosciutto
Salty prosciutto forms an irresistible duo with tender asparagus stalks. Simply wrap the asparagus spears in delicate ribbons of the cured meat before roasting or grilling.
As it crisps up, the prosciutto turns slightly crispy while imparting its savory, hammy essence. It’s an easy way to add massive flavor while keeping things looking elegant.
8.Poached Eggs
Top steamed or sauteed asparagus with a perfectly runny poached egg for a protein-packed side. As the golden yolk streams over the spears, it creates a velvety sauce that clings to every nook and cranny.
Sprinkle the whole thing with crunchy breadcrumbs and a few threads of fresh dill for extra texture and brightness. It’s a simple combo that feels fancy but is incredibly easy and satisfying.
9.Garlic Breadcrumbs
Give asparagus a crunchy, garlicky finish by topping it with buttery breadcrumbs. With this recipe, you can make crispy garlic bread crumbs in less than 10 minutes using just a few pantry staples.
Then sprinkle the crisp crumbs generously over roasted or grilled asparagus just before serving. The crunchy topping creates an irresistible contrast to the tender spears while amplifying their fresh, green essence.
10.Lemon Vinaigrette
For a light, zingy way to dress up asparagus, make a quick lemon vinaigrette. You can make your own delicious lemon vinaigrette salad dressing in just five minutes.
Mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, honey, thyme, white vinegar, salt, and pepper in a food processor or whisk in a bowl.
This bright, tangy dressing helps cut through any inherent bitterness from charring the spears on the grill. A sprinkle of feta or goat cheese adds a luscious creamy element.
11.Balsamic Glaze
Balsamic glaze takes asparagus from simple to sublime with its sweet-tart intensity. Drizzle the thick syrupy reduction over grilled or roasted spears to add a gorgeous sheen and punch of flavor.
You can also toss cooked asparagus in the glaze for a quick marinated side dish. I love how the balsamic vinegar marries with garlic, shallots or lemon to accentuate asparagus’ fresh, green essence.
A sprinkle of toasted pine nuts or chopped parsley finishes it beautifully.
12.Gremolata
The classic Italian garnish of parsley, lemon zest and garlic makes an incredibly vibrant topper for asparagus.
Gremolata is traditionally served with osso buco, but it’s versatile enough to use on many savory dishes, including asparagus.
With just 5 minutes of prep time, you can have a fresh and flavorful garnish that will impress.
The fresh herb, citrus and garlic notes enhance and elevate those same nuances already present in asparagus.
13.Almonds
For a nutty crunch factor, sprinkle sliced or slivered almonds over your asparagus. The toasted nuts add delightful contrasting texture to the soft veggie spears.
You can candy the nuts in butter and brown sugar first for a sweet-savory twist. Or keep things simple by just toasting them in a dry skillet to accentuate their richness.
My name is Beth, Elizabeth Evelyn to be exact. A native Tennessean, I was born in the South.
I am the author behind Local Milk Blog.
Local milk is a journal devoted to home cookery, travel, family, and slow living—to being present & finding sustenance of every kind.
It’s about nesting abroad & finding the exotic in the everyday.
Most of all it’s about the perfection of imperfections and seeing the beauty of everyday, mundane life.